Pequannock FBLA makes first sale in field advertising program

The Pequannock Township High School (PTHS) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club took the first step last week toward making the fence lines of the Sunset Road field complex turn a profit when the group sold its first field advertising package.

Board of Education (BOE) student representative Olivia Schreiber told the board on Jan. 27 that the FBLA was "very excited" about the sale, and that although the group was unable to meet its goal of having 15 businesses signed on by Jan. 1, the members had used their winter break to prepare their strategy.

Now, she said, they’re ready to approach merchants, and thanks to Business Education teacher and FBLA advisor Eliot Honig, they have a website as well: sponsorpequannock.org, which outlines the different advertising packages.

"We’re very excited – just making that first purchase was a really good thing for us," she said. "I think it’s a great thing."

The group is aiming to approach about 10 different merchants to start, although Schreiber said that she’s also hoping that local businesses, once they see banners lining the fences, decide on their own that they’d like to participate.

Board President Bill Sayre thanked Schreiber and the FBLA for its work, saying that the trustees "really appreciate it."

The BOE had charged the student group with creating an advertising plan in August 2013 after district officials could not find an outside company willing to do so. The FBLA presented its plan to the board in the fall, and representatives said nearly $32,000 in profits could be made in the first year.